Lionsgate has remained silent as speculation continues to swirl over the future of co-chair of the motion picture group Patrick Wachsberger and motion picture group co-president Erik Feig.
A spokesperson for the studio declined to comment on reports that surfaced on Tuesday, echoing frequently heard industry chatter that has gathered momentum ever since the return to the fold last October of Good Universe co-founder Joe Drake to serve as co-chair alongside Wachsberger.
Both Wachsberger and Feig have about a year remaining on their respective contracts.
While it was unclear at time of writing what next steps Wachsberger might take should he depart Lionsgate, he would enjoy many options.
The highly regarded polyglot veteran has a broad skillset that encompasses US distribution and a specialty in international sales and strategy, an arena in which he has consistently excelled and is arguably the best in the business.
Wachsberger’s team at Lionsgate International has been at the EFM in Berlin selling territories on Participant Media’s Green Book drama starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, as well as John Wick: Chapter 3, and Judi Dench and Eddie Izzard wartime thriller Six Minutes To Midnight.
Feig is also highly regarded and oversaw production on the Twilight and The Hunger Games franchises. Were he to leave, it would not come as a surprise if he set up a production label housed at Lionsgate or with some kind of involvement from the studio.
Lionsgate continues to remain an attractive target as a corporate acquisition, and Amazon Studios and Verizon are among those said to be interested. While there is nothing to suggest a merger would happen imminently, it is not unheard of for a media company take-over to come together quickly.
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